Custom Homes / New Construction
Ground-up custom home construction designed around your site, light, and lifestyle, guided by decades of hands-on building expertise.
Discuss Your Custom HomeResidential Design-Build · Greater New Haven, CT
Thoughtful Design.
Experienced Building.
RLS Design Build helps homeowners plan and build meaningful improvements to their homes — from kitchens and additions to whole-home renovations and custom construction. Led by second-generation builder Bob Small, every project benefits from decades of hands-on construction and design experience.
- Construction Experience
- 40+ Years
- Design Expertise
- 30 Years
- Builder Legacy
- Second Generation
- Design + Build
- One Team
Bob Small's hands-on building background
Advanced CAD & material takeoffs
Dirt-to-doorstep construction lineage
Seamless planning through walkthrough
Bob Small
Master Builder & Designer · RLS Design Build
Personal Involvement
Direct, experienced leadership on every project
Unlike large marketing-driven firms that hand your home over to separate subcontractors, RLS Design Build provides direct, personal involvement from owner and builder Bob Small.
- Hyper-Accurate CAD Takeoffs: Bob produces detailed 3D CAD models and material lists before a single nail is driven.
- HGTV-Featured Experience: A lifetime of custom design-build work, including a custom home featured on HGTV.
- Municipal & Permitting Fluency: Experienced in navigating local zoning boards, engineering, wetlands applications, and building permits.
Services
Residential projects, planned and built as one effort
From custom ground-up homes to focused kitchen remodels and basement transformations, every project is backed by decades of construction knowledge and CAD design.
Home Additions
Expanded living areas, second-story additions, and primary suites that integrate seamlessly with your existing architecture.
Plan Your Addition
Whole-Home Renovations
Comprehensive renovations that modernize mechanical systems and layout while preserving your home's inherent character.
Discuss Your Renovation
Kitchen Remodeling
Functional, central kitchens designed for real cooking, family gathering, and effortless entertaining.
Plan Your Kitchen
Bathroom Remodeling
Spa-like primary bath retreats and hard-working family bathrooms built with moisture-proof engineering and high-end detail.
Plan Your Bathroom
Basement Renovations
Unlock hidden lower-level square footage for family recreation, guest suites, home offices, or entertainment areas.
Explore Your Basement Project
Design & Planning
3D CAD modeling, detailed material takeoffs, and municipal approval management before construction begins.
Start Project PlanningExperience Across Design & Construction
Selected residential work & project examples
Examples reflecting the design-build capabilities, scope, and craftsmanship Bob Small brings to residential home projects in Greater New Haven.
Home Addition & Renovation
Waterfront 2nd Floor Addition & Whole House Renovation
Branford, CT
Selected design-build project example: A full second-story addition and whole-home renovation transforming a single-story structure into a light-filled coastal home with custom deck railing.
Selected project demonstrating Bob Small's design-build experience
Custom Home
Lakeside Custom Build
Madison, CT
A ground-up custom home designed around mature trees, natural light, and indoor-outdoor living with board-and-batten siding and stone accents.
Kitchen Remodel
Open-Concept Kitchen & Island
Hamden, CT
An enclosed, dated kitchen reconfigured into an open-plan cooking space featuring custom shaker cabinetry and a central butcher block island.
Bathroom Remodel
Primary Bath Spa Suite
Branford, CT
A primary bathroom expansion incorporating a freestanding soaking tub, limestone tile, zero-threshold shower, and custom oak double vanity.
Home Addition
Gabled Sunroom & Family Addition
Guilford, CT
A light-filled sunroom and extended family room addition matching the home's original colonial rooflines, siding, and trim details.
Basement Renovation
Lower Level Family Suite
New Haven, CT
A finished lower-level suite featuring moisture protection, continuous insulation, custom built-ins, and a media recreation space.
Our Process
Five clear steps from initial idea to finished home
A structured, communicative process that removes friction and aligns your goals with practical building execution.
- 01
Consultation
Discuss your homeowner goals, property details, priorities, comfortable budget range, and desired timeline during a low-pressure initial conversation.
- 02
Planning & Discovery
Review existing property conditions, site feasibility, zoning regulations, and structural considerations to establish a clear project roadmap.
- 03
Design & CAD Modeling
Develop project layouts, 3D CAD modeling, and precise material takeoffs while coordinating municipal permits and engineering approvals.
- 04
Construction
Move into the building phase under Bob Small's direct, hands-on oversight, maintaining clear communication and attention to craftsmanship.
- 05
Final Walkthrough
Review every completed detail together, complete final touch-ups, and hand over a finished project ready for daily living.
Why Choose RLS
The benefit of an experienced master builder
Working with Bob Small and RLS Design Build means your design decisions and construction realities stay aligned — with direct communication, practical problem solving, and a single point of accountability.
Experience That Informs Details
Decades of hands-on building experience help identify structural or site challenges early before work begins.
Design and Construction Together
Projects are planned with both the aesthetic vision and the physical realities of construction in mind.
Thoughtful CAD Planning
Detailed CAD modeling and material calculations establish a clear path and transparent expectations.
Personal Direct Involvement
Work directly with an experienced builder rather than passing through layers of sales managers.
Clear & Honest Communication
Stay informed as decisions are made and construction progresses from start to finish.
Local Municipal Knowledge
Deep familiarity with Greater New Haven zoning, wetlands, engineering, and building approval processes.
Specialized Expertise
Interested in an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?
In addition to custom homes and renovations, Bob Small has specialized experience in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), detached cottage plans, in-law suites, and multigenerational housing planning through his work with Tiny Dream Homes.
Client Feedback
Social proof & homeowner reviews
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Ready to Talk About Your Project?
Schedule an initial design consultation to discuss your project, your goals, your timeline, and the next steps. There's no pressure — just a conversation about what's possible.
Frequently Asked Questions